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 Press Statement OUR PATRIARCH HAS DEPARTED With deepest regret and profound acceptance of the will of the Almighty, we announce the passing of our beloved, courageous, and compassionate father and grandfather, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON. He peacefully departed in his sleep at a Hospital in Germany, where he was undergoing treatment for protracted prostate cancer. While we are deeply saddened and devastated by his departure, we find solace in the understanding that as he transitions to eternity, he will be guided by the benevolent hands of the angels of light, with whom he resided during his remarkable and fruitful journey on Earth. During this challenging time, we sincerely appreciate everyone who has stood by us and extended their support since the news broke. We humbly request your prayers and support, while also asking for privacy as we navigate through this trying period. Daddy, may you rest in perfect peace. Details regarding the burial arrangements will be ann...

Man butchers friend over wrap of marijuana in Cross River 27th Dec 2023  A misunderstanding over a wrap of marijuana led one Mkpor to hack his friend, known as Tunde, to death with a machete on Christmas Eve. The incident took place in Aduma ward, Mkpani in Yakkur Local Government Area in central Cross River. Reports from the area, which is about 120 kilometres away from Calabar, say Mkpor bought a wrap of marijuana from Tunde and refused to pay leading to verbal exchange. A source in the area, Okona, said that the assailant went to the “bunk” where Tunde sells marijuana and smoked one wrap of the weed but refused to pay. This made Tunde to ban him from going to his bunk. “I understand he was fond of causing trouble in the bunk each time he went there. And on this occasion he ordered for a wrap of marijuana and after smoking he refused to pay. “This prompted Tunde, who operates the place, to order him out with instructions that he should not visit the place again. “The order irked ...

Marketers to sell products from Dangote Refinery from January The Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Clement Isong, has said that marketers will start selling refined products by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from January 2024. He stated that the marketers would first start selling Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) also known as diesel, and JetA1 or aviation fuel in January while fuel could be sold towards the end of first quarter or in the second quarter of the year. In an interview with New Telegraph, yesterday, he also said the marketers were excited that refined products will start being sold from the r650,000 barrels per day (BPD) integrated refinery in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, Nigeria. Isong said: “There is a startup process and they are currently in that process. So we know that they will sell AGO and JETA1 in early January because it is that start-up process that will produce products. “They will start refining and products will come out a...

Young mother is shot and killed by her 14-year-old brother after an argument over Christmas presents and that still wasn't the end of this family's nightmare Christmas. The tragic series of events occurred on Sunday in Pinellas County, Florida. On that Sunday, 3 siblings, 14-year-old Darcus, 15-year-old Damarcus Coley along with their mother, their 23-year-old sister Abrielle Baldwin and her 2 children went to visit their grandmother for Christmas. At some point during the visit the three siblings began arguing over Christmas presents. As the argument began heating up, Abrielle told her brother Damarcus to "stop arguing because it was Christmas."  This is when things quickly escalated with Damarcus threatening to shoot his 23-year-old sister Abrielle and her 11 month old baby she was holding in a carrier. Then suddenly, to everyone's horror, he carried out his threat and shot Abrielle in the chest. After shooting his sister, Damarcus exited the home only to be fol...

Bandits are steps ahead of govt, Sultan reacts to Plateau killings  The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the Christmas Eve killings in 20 communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. He faulted security agencies for their failure in intelligence gathering in which they could not avert the heinous crime leading to the death of over 100 people. Abubakar called on the government and security agencies to be more proactive and scale up its intelligence gathering techniques because “the bandits and terrorists are always a step ahead.” The Sultan, who is also the President, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, stated this in a goodwill message at the closing of the 80th National Islamic Vacation Course which held on Wednesday at the Air Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi. He said: “We have problems of insecurity. Just a couple of days back, there was this clash in Plateau (State) where over 100 plus lives were lost. Why...

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BAUCHI STATE COMMAND CP AUWAL MUSA MUHAMMED PSC, PRESS BRIEFING ON 27TH DECEMBER, 2023 AT NINGI AREA COMMAND NINGI LGA, BAUCHI STATE. The Editors, PROTOCOL To begin with, I am excited, at the same time nostalgic and anxious standing before you members of the fourth estate of the realm. I must express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi, Sen. Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir CON (Kauran Bauchi) for his unwavering commitment to the security of the State. Today's press briefing is coming at the right time considering the security situation in our country. As you will all agree with me at this very moment, our security system is facing a significant challenge, consequently, all hands must be on deck to ensure a free and peaceful environment in our society. It is important because we all need a violence-free society to triumph in all our various endeavors, peace, safety and security are both requirements for the development and attain...

 FG to go after economic saboteurs next year —Senate Leader Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has said that the Federal Government would  from next year, go after economic saboteurs, who have made lives difficult and unbearable for Nigerians. Bamidele also insisted that the National Assembly would pass the 2024 appropriations bill on December 30, to sustain the January-December budget cycle. He made this disclosure at a session with journalists in Iyin Ekiti, saying all federal lawmakers would have to cut short their holidays to ensure speedy passage of the 2024 appropriations bill. At the session, Bamidele expressed concerns about the activities of economic saboteurs, who were doing everything to keep exchange rates high against the Naira or trying to make the Naira unavailable to the people who kept their money in banks. He, therefore, revealed that the Federal Government “will, from next year, go after economic saboteurs, who are making life difficult and unbea...

Na’abba stopped removal of limits for govs, president from constitution – Shehu Sani Shehu Sani, a socio-political analyst, has said the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’abba, stopped the term limits for governors and Presidents. Sani said the term limits for governors and presidents would have been expunged from the Nigerian constitution if not for Na’abba. Posting on X, the former lawmaker said the deceased defended the honour of the parliament. He wrote: “Hon Ghali Umar Na’abba, Ex-Speaker House of Representatives. He lived an accomplished life. “He saved Nigeria’s democracy at its most crucial moment. He upheld and defended the honour and independence of the parliament. “Without the courage and principles of the likes of Ghali, the term limits for Governors and Presidents would have been expunged from our constitution. Ghali spoke for justice and stood for freedom. “A great loss. My condolences to his family. May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi. Amin.” T...

Actress Ireti Doyle gives conditions for accepting nude role Nollywood actress Ireti Doyle has revealed the only condition she would go nude in a movie. According to the thespian, the movie script justifying the act is the only requirement for her to go nude in a film. She explained that if the nudity was intended for publicity and commercial purposes, she wouldn’t accept it. The 56-year-old actress featured as a guest in the latest episode of the Terms And Conditions podcast. She said, “There are characters that I wouldn’t play. And it has nothing to do with love scenes or nudity. “For instance, if you expect me to go nude in a film, the script would have to justify it. If it was for sheer sensationalism and click baits, absolutely no. But if you are telling a story of rape or abuse, and there is something required, I’m sure we can work something around where you can achieve the level of realism that is required. “And more to that like I said, as a professional actor, whatever objecti...

SANWO-OLU MOURNS AKEREDOLU, SAYS HIS DEATH IS PERSONAL LOSS  Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of his Ondo State counterpart, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), describing his death as a colossal loss to the country and Ondo State in particular. Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Akeredolu would be greatly missed for his positive impacts in Ondo State, South-West and Nigeria as a whole. He also commiserated with the Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu's widow, Dr. Betty Akeredolu, and the entire family and friends of the deceased. The Governor also sympathised with the entire people of Ondo State, especially the indigenes of Owo, on the demise of their illustrious son, praying that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Sanwo-Olu, in the statement, described the death of Akeredolu as a colossal loss to the country, adding t...

TWO PRESS RELEASE BELOW.  PERSONAL STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU ON THE PASSING OF H.E. ROTIMI AKEREDOLU I MOURN MY FEARLESS BROTHER, ROTIMI AKEREDOLU   It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one is compelled to do so for a younger person. Here am I having the difficult job of singing a dirge for Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my beloved brother, confidant, political soulmate, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State.    It is an impossible task to fully capture in words Rotimi’s towering figure and his human essence. Rotimi was a man who moved our nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his strident advocacy against every form of injustice in our country through the instrumentality of the law as a senior advocate, attorney-general of his beloved state, as President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Governor of Ondo State.    In a challengi...

Man trapped under an Indiana bridge for 6 days rescued by 2 men scouting for fishing spots yesterday. Two men were scouting for fishing areas off of I-94 near Salt Creek in northwest Indiana when they got the shock of a lifetime. As the men descended the river bank they noticed what appeared to be a wrecked vehicle. When they approached the vehicle to examine the wreckage, they believed they saw a body inside. One of the fishermen reached his hand into the truck and touched the man's face. The two were totally taken aback when the man .....turned his head and began speaking to them.  It was just beginning to get dark, so this was an extra scary situation.  The man went on to tell them he had been involved in a roll over crash along Interstate 94 on December 20th. He had been trapped for 6 days with no food or water and suffering from severe injuries. He did have a cell phone but due to his injuries and position after the accident he was unable to reach it. The fishermen quickl...

Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Ondo Governor Hours After Akeredolu’s Death The Acting Governor Of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Has Officially Been Sworn In As The New Governor Of The State Aiyedatiwa was sworn in at the governor’s office   barely 24-hours after the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. More photos below. 

"I lost a patient a recently, she gave her sister this letter to give me before she passed.  This profession, this profession! This life! 💔😭 She’d always talk to me about God and about Grace, She’d always pray for me. I began to call her sister Grace. She liked the name." One of the Doctor's fan asked "  Did the lady permit you to post it online?" He replied " Sister Grace gave me consent to post our interactions online to uplift other cancer patients and touch doctors to be more human. Some of our interactions have been posted in the past on my WhatsApp story. And also, Sis Grace is a name I gave her that she liked. Valid concern ❤️". More photos below. 

Abiodun Mourns Akeredolu, Says Death Tragic Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday described the death of his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, as tragic. Akeredolu succumbed to leukaemia in Lagos on Wednesday. He was 67. In his condolence message to the acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the family of the deceased and Ondo people, Prince Abiodun described Akeredolu, who until his death was the chairman of the South West Governors Forum, as a a dogged fighter throughout his life time. According to him, Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), stood for equity and fairness in the run up to the 2023 presidential election when he was the chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum. Prince Abiodun said Akeredolu was a visionary leader with an unwavering dedication to his people and social justice. Abiodun said: "Akeredolu made an indelible mark on Nigerian politics. From his tenu...

President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has donated 54 bicycles to village heads in Zvishavane as a Christmas gift. The president made the donation at an event on Tuesday, December 26.  The county’s First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, also donated Christmas hampers to the wives of Village Heads present at the same event. This was made known by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting on its official X handle. The post read, “Today, His Excellency President Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa donated 54 bicycles to Chief Mapanzure, at Lundi Primary School in Zvishavane. The bicycles will be distributed to village heads. Also present was the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, who donated Christmas hampers to the wives of Village Heads present at the event..” More photos below. 

‘Don’t Bring Ill-Gotten Money To My Church Altar As Offering’ – Pastor Muoka Warns Members The founder and the General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Revival Movement Church based in Lagos, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, has warned his members against bringing stolen money to the altar. The renowned cleric disclosed this during the conclusion of the two-day retreat themed “Only God can Do This”, held at the church’s headquarters in Lagos. While speaking on the importance of restitution to his congregation, heurged them to return any possessions that they had acquired unjustly to their rightful owners, whether it be money or property. According to the General Overseer, these wrongfully obtained items would continuously yearn for their original owners. “As a practical Christian, learn to return ill-gotten things and valuables to the owner; in that respect, the urge to take things that don’t belong to you will be halted,” he said. He stated that sin acts as a barrier that separates individuals from...

Ebonyi Man  identified as Chief Uwa Nnabo Celebrate 119th, Birthday in good Health🎉😍💃🎉🎉🎉 This will be our portion, growing old in good health in Jesus name 🙏💯🔥.

Women face all levels of discriminations – Mo Abudu Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist, Mo Abudu, has called on African women to work a bit harder noting that women are facing all levels of discrimination in the world. She stated this during an interview while reacting to being named as Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list alongside the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. According to Forbes’ 20th annual ranking released in early December 2023, the Nigerian economist held the 87th spot, while South African businesswoman Mpumi Madisa, ranked 88th. While reacting, Mo Abudu who occupied the 98th position called on African women to step out to break barriers considering all levels of discriminations. She also noted that God must be involved in whatever one wants to do. Abudu said, “Being named among the best African women in Forbes list can only be God’s doing. I don’t want to start getting spiritual about work but I do delivery as a space and there i...

Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu, Dies After Prolonged Battle With Leukemia The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, is dead. A family source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that Akeredolu died in Lagos. He was managed by State House doctors up to his death because they could not fly him abroad. “Akeredolu is dead; he died in Lagos,” the source said. “They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week.” He was 67 years old.  The ailing governor returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany and only recently proceeded on another one after he was directed by President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. His deputy, Aiyedatiwa has been standing in as Acting Governor. Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, leading to public outrage.

 Former Salem woman arrested for placing a false 911 call as well as an aggravated battery to an officer. Ashley Pohlman, 23, called 911 and reported several armed gunmen inside of Biggie's on route 161 east of Centralia. When police arrived on scene, they observed individuals inside of the store. After making a phone call to a Biggie's employee and learning there were no armed gunmen, officials attempted to arrest Pohlman. For some strange reason, Pohlman was parked outside of the Biggies store waiting for police after making the false 911 call. It is unclear why she made the call or if she believed there were armed gunmen.  Pohlman resisted arrest and scratched an officer. She is not only being charged with placing a false 911 call but she is also facing disorderly conduct charges and aggravated battery to an officer. There was also another 911 call placed stating that there was an armed gunman on an Amtrak train, which also was found to be untrue. It is not clear yet who ma...

Utah man arrested after intentionally ramming an SUV with 3 small children inside. The driver of the SUV was in the process of unstrapping one child from a car seat when the incident occurred. Fortunately he was able to jump onto the assailants vehicle as it slammed into the SUV with the children still inside on Christmas Eve. Police report the incident was caught on several security cameras. In the footage the suspect is seen stationary in the road as he waits for the driver to exit his vehicle, before accelerating with no brakes and impacting the SUV in the exact spot where its driver was standing. The driver who was in town visiting family was not injured but believes the suspect was trying to kill him.  The suspect, 54-year-old Michael Norvell, fled the scene before abandoning his vehicle about a block away and running on foot. Witnesses helped police track him to a nearby freeway ramp where he was taken into custody. Police say there was no connection between the victim and No...